MICHAEL O’NEILL has named six Scottish-based stars in his Northern Ireland squad to face Norway in World Cup qualification.

Veteran defender Aaron Hughes, who boasts 104 caps, is included in the 24-man group despite missing Hearts’ last two fixture with a calf strain and remaining a doubt for Saturday’s Premiership clash against Hamilton.

Ross County ace Liam Boyce, who agonisingly missed out on a Euro 2016 place, is rewarded for his 14 goals this term with a call-up, while Rangers’ Lee Hodson and Aberdeen talisman Niall McGinn have made the cut.

Northern Ireland lie in second spot in Group C as they seek to reach Russia 2018 – five points behind Germany – and face Norway on March 26.

The Scandinavian nation have endured a nightmare start to to qualification, having picked up just three points from four games, but will hope for a new manager bounce after appointing the architect of Iceland’s Euro 2016 heroics, Lars Lagerback, as their boss.